Flirting Moves No Man Can Resist

Cosmo has crafted the ultimate bag-him bible. With these tips on how to flirt, you'll never go home empty-handed again.

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We believe there are flirting opportunities everywhere. But sometimes an impromptu encounter can leave even the most dauntless female at a loss. Rather than pray to the goddess of coquetry to tap you with her magic wand, let Cosmo arm you with seduce-him-silly ammo that's guaranteed to blow a man's mind — anytime, anyplace. And we mean that. Whether you're looking to entice a sexy stranger or hook a hunk you have more-than-friendly feelings for, we have body language that'll break the ice, lines that'll lure him and tactics that'll keep him in a trance. These maneuvers will make him feel like a man while putting you in control.

At a bar or coffeehouse, use the tip of your tongue to lick beer or espresso foam from your lip.

Give him a long once-over from head to toe, then bring your eyes back up to his. Smile ever so slightly to let him know you like what you see.

Pull your hair loose from a ponytail holder or clip so he can watch your touchable tresses fall around your face.

Cross your legs and slowly move your top foot in circles. His eyes will be drawn to your gorgeous gams since men are used to focusing on movement.

If you shake his hand, wrap your other hand around his. Linger for just a second longer than you normally would.

Grin and hold his gaze for three seconds. Then bite the corner of your lip and look down.

While at a bar, casually set your hand on your knee so that your palm faces up or lay the back of your hand on a table. This pose lets him know that you're comfortable with him. Plus, it seems like an invitation to grab your hand.

While conversing with a cutie, lean in so you're about six inches from his face. Linger for three counts, then slowly return to your original position.

Rub your shoulder like you have a painful crick, then gently sigh. Not only will he find this extremely sexy, but you might even score a massage.

At a café, dip your finger in your dessert, put it in your mouth, and slowly pull it out while eyeing a hot guy.

During conversation, touch his knee or hand for emphasis.

As a hottie brushes by you, stop him in his tracks by saying, "Wow, you smell great."

Sit next to a solo stud and ask, "Ever had a complete stranger talk to you?"

While standing in line, inquire if he thinks it's worth the wait.

At a grocery store, ask him to help you reach the orange juice on the high shelf.

Show him your sexy midsection and ask if you should get your belly button pierced. Or draw his attention to your leg or shoulder and find out what he thinks about your getting a tiny tattoo there.

Pull out a copy of the Kama Sutra from your bag and say, "Would you be interested in joining my book club?"

Stroll over to a bored boy and inform him that you're from social search-and-rescue. Your mission? To save him from a dull night.

Compliment him with "You look athletic. What sports do you play?"

Plant yourself near the door at a party or bar and when you scope out a prospect, gush, "Finally! I've been waiting for someone interesting to show up."

At a packed bar, coyly stick a bill in his hand or shirt pocket and ask if he'd mind ordering your drink.

Tell him he looks so much like a friend of yours that you just had to say hello.

At a restaurant, ask if you can borrow his salt shaker — even if you have to cross the room to get it.

Proclaim that you're thinking about changing your name. Then say with a smile, "Do I strike you as more of a Sienna or a Bambi?"

At a bar, say you'd like him to be your partner...for a dart game.

Wander over to him at a coffee shop or bookstore with the event-listings section of the paper and ask for his suggestion on a fun activity.

At a clothing store, tell him the shirt or pants he's considering buying would look amazing on him.

Once you've scoped out the buffest bod at the gym, remark that he looks like he's pretty familiar with the place and ask where the best spot to stretch out is.

Tell him you have a unique proposition: You'll buy him a drink in exchange for an entertaining conversation.

Say that you're trying out a new perfume, then hold out your wrist or expose your neck and ask his opinion.

Instead of asking what time it is, lightly slip your fingers around his wrist and check for yourself on his watch.

Guys love to hear their names — throw his into conversation a couple of times, and he'll know you're into him.

Enlist him to guard the door to the ladies' room.

Order an extra drink and offer it to a thirsty cutie nearby. Explain that the bartender gave you two cocktails and ask if he'd help you out so it won't go to waste.

When a chivalrous gent opens a door for you, get the next one for him or see if you can return the favor on the way out.

Straighten his collar or smooth out his shirt sleeve.

Make the most of a loud room and lean in close. Then whisper conversation in his nerve-packed ears.

Get near him in a crowded room and, as you pass by, touch his lower back, rest your hand on his forearm or steady yourself on his biceps.

Ask him if it's hot (or cold) in the room and put his hands on your cheeks or neck for a temperature check.

Find a reason to give your crush a big hug (like announcing that you just won five bucks from a lottery ticket), and when you pull away, lightly run your hands over his shoulders and down his arms.

Even if there are rows of free treadmills at the gym, hop on the machine right next to his for your workout.

Pique his curiosity by carrying an out-of-place prop like a yoga mat at a business meeting or a sketch pad at a bar, and you'll open the door for coy conversation.

Become the bar mix-master at a friend's party. Stir things up and offer him a sample of your special potion.

Stand on your tiptoes and scan the room. Then look at a fella within earshot and tell him you guess you're all alone because you've lost your friends.

Snap his picture and explain that you wanted proof that you saw the hottest guy in (insert your city here).

Tell a capable cutie that you have a minor emergency: an itch you can't reach.

Stroll over to a fine fella at the beach or park and ask if he minds sharing a towel or blanket.

Tell him that you're an amateur palm reader. While you're peering at his hand, trace any creases and predict that there will be lots of passion in his future.

Request a look at his cell phone. While checking it out, say that it's quite impressive but missing a very important feature — your digits.

Ask your studly neighbor to stop by and help you move something heavy or change a lightbulb you can't reach. Then repay his services with a beer.

Set yourself apart from a crowd at a party and perch on a counter or tabletop. If you're feeling extrabold, use his shoulders to steady yourself for the boost up. You'll be closer to his eye level, and he can scope out your, um, assets.

Our favorite studies on the science of seduction.

The most common mistake people make when flirting is overdoing eye contact.
—Social Issues Research Centre

When we're interested in another person, we instinctively align our shoulders and bodies until we're face-to-face.
—Helen Fisher, author of Anatomy of Love

Women worldwide flirt with the same expressions: lifting their eyebrows and making eye contact, tilting their head down and to the side, then looking away.
—Helen Fisher

Women are more likely to attract a man if they send out several flirting signals rather than relying on a single move.
—Monica Moore, PhD, psychologist and coauthor of the study "Predictive Aspects of Nonverbal Courtship Behavior in Women"